Foreign object separator for a reactor cooling system

This patent describes a nuclear reactor having an annular vessel sidewall spaced radially outwardly from an annular core shroud around a longitudinal centerline axis to define an annular flow passage for channeling a coolant in a direction parallel to the centerline axis. It comprises a vessel endwall being arcuate in a longitudinal plane from a first portion joined to the vessel sidewall to a second portion spaced radially inwardly from the first portion for turning the coolant; the core shroud including an intermediate portion spaced radially inwardly from the endwall first portion to define an annular inlet for receiving the coolant from the flow passage, and a distal end spaced from the endwall second portion to define an annular thron annular separator member disposed coaxially about the centerline axis and having a proximal end fixedly joined to a third portion of the endwall spaced radially inwardly from the second portion, and a distal end spaced from the core shroud distal end to define an annular outlet, the separator member distal end being predeterminedly spaced from the proximal end for allowing the coolant from the throat to impinge against the separator member for further turning the coolant prior to discharge from the outlet; and the arcuate endwall and the separator member causing a centrifugal force to separate foreign objects of predetermined size from the coolant, the foreign objects being retained adjacent to the separator member proximal end